Dirigible mining augers



Aug. 16, 1955 Filed 001;. 23, 1953 H. D. LETTS DIRIGIBLE MINING AUGERS 5 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.

Ha re [d .D. Ll'l's.

ATTORNEYS Aug. 16, H. D. LETTS DIRIGIBLE MINING AUGERS Filed Oct. 23, 1953 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Aug. 16, 1955 H. D. LETTS DIRIGIBLE MINING AUGERS 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Oct. 23, 1953 w I T W H We *4 L a M m a H Aug. 16, 1955 H.D.LETTS DIRIGIBLE MINING AUGERS 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Oct. 25, 1955 INVENTOR. HaroZd .D. Le ifs,

Aug. 16, 1955 H. D. LETTS DIRIG-IBLE MINING AUGERS Filed Oct. 23, 1953 United States Patent DIRIGIBLE MINING AUGERS Harold D. Letts, Zelienople, Pa.

Application October 23, 1953, Serial No. 387,858

14 Claims. (Cl. 262--26) This invention relates to improvements in mining angers, including above ground angers and underground angers, and more particularly to mining angers which are constructed to be dirigible or steerable to correct for tendencies of anger heads to drop downwardly or to rise or move laterally relative to the axes of holes made by such augers as the augers are advanced.

The primary object of the invention is to provide cutting heads for augers of the types indicated above, which are mounted on leading sections of angers, and which during operation of the angers, can be adjusted from outside of the holes being made, to restore the direction of cut of the heads whenever it becomes evident from inspection of the material conveyed by the angers out of holes made thereby, that the heads are either angling upwardly into top rock or downwardly into bottom clay, and away from veins of material such as coal that are being mined by the angers.

Another important object of the invention is to provide a combination of anger and cutting head wherein the auger head has laterally adjustable shoes which are arranged to bear against the wall of the auger hole being made in such a way as to position the head eccentrically with respect to the axis of such hole and thereby correct the angularity of the head, in order to compensate for a deviation of the head from the original line chosen, and provide for continued directional control of the head during further cutting operations, the direction controlling means for the head being mounted partly in the head and partly in an anger section on which the head is mounted, and partly in any following auger sections.

Other important objects and advantageous features of the invention will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings, wherein, for purposes of illustration rather than limitation, specific forms of the invention are set forth in detail.

Figure l is a top plan view of one of said forms;

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical longitudinal section taken on the line 22 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical longitudinal section taken on the line 33 of Figure 1 showing the auger operating in a hole;

Figure 4 is a righthand end elevation of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is an enlarged transverse vertical section taken on the line 5--5 of Figure 1;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary, further enlarged, section similar to Figure 5, showing the cam arrangement in greater detail;

Figure 7 is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal section taken on the line 7-7 of Figure 3;

Figure 8 is a further enlarged longitudinal section taken on the line 88 of Figure 3;

Figure 9 is a fragmentary top plan view of the cutter head direction controlling mechanism;

Figure 10 is a fragmentary longitudinal section taken on the line 1010 of Figure 2;

Figure 11 is a view similar to Figure 4 of another form of cutter head;

ice

Figure 12 is a vertical longitudinal section taken on the line 1212 of Figure 11;

Figure 13 is a transverse vertical section taken on the line 1313 of Figure 12;

Figure 14 is a fragmentary elevation of cam means in one position;

Figure 15 is a fragmentary horizontal section taken at right angles to Figure 14;

Figure 16 is a view similar to Figure 14 showing the cam means in another position;

Figure 17 is a view similar to Figure 15 showing the cam means in another position;

Figure 18 is a fragmentary side elevation of another form of cutter head; and

Figure 19 is a right-hand end elevation of Figure 19.

Referring in detail to the drawings, wherein like numerals designate like parts throughout the several views, and first to Figures 1 to 10 thereof, the numeral 20 generally designates a supporting frame, which can be conventional in construction, for auger driving mechanism. The frame 20, as herein shown, comprises laterally spaced rear posts 21, 21 and laterally spaced forward posts 22, 22, the pairs of posts being spaced and connected by upper and lower cross members 23, 24 and 25, 26, respectively, with longitudinal side members 27, 27 extending between and connected to the posts 21, 21 and 22, 22 at opposite sides of the frame, on a levelspaced above the ground 28.

A carriage 29 is slidably mounted on the longitudinal side members 27, 27 and includes a rear motor platform 30 and a forward gear case 31. A suitable motor, such as a gasoline motor, diesel motor, or electric motor 32 is fixed on the platform 30 and has a forwardly projecting motor shaft 33 on which is fixed a drive pinion 34.

The gear case 31 is vertically elongated and has rear and forward vertical walls 35 and 36, respectively. A gear wheel shaft 37 is journaled in the upper part of the walls 35 and 36 and terminates at its rearward end in a gear 38 anchored with the pinion 34. A gear wheel 39 is fixed on the shaft 37 within the case 31 and is in mesh with an anger rotating gear 40 located in the lower part of the gear case 31.

The auger rotating gear 40 is splined, as indicated at 41, on a tubular shaft 42 which is journaled in opposed roller thrust bearings 43 and 44 which are mounted in the walls 35 and 36 of the rear case 31 and are secured in place by a fixed forward thrust shoulder 45 on the tubular shaft 42, and an adjustable rearward thrust shoulder 46 threaded on the tubular shaft 42, as indicated at 47.

A tubular auger shaft section 48 of an anger shaft 50 has on its rearward end socket 49 engaged over the forward end 42' of the tubular shaft 42 and removably secured for rotation therewith by suitable means, such as the pins 51. Further auger shaft sections, such as those designated 52 and 53 in Figure l, are similarly separably connected, and each section has thereon spiral screw conveyor flights 54. It is to be noted that the connection between the socket 49 and the forward end 42' of the tubular shaft 42, and the connection between the socket 49 and the forward end of the section 52 are each of the type to permit lateral play. The auger sections are so connected that the conveyor flights 54 are matched up and are continuous throughout the length of the auger.

Extending rearwardly from the gear case 31 in line with the tubular shaft 42 is a framework 55 which includes upper and lower horizontal side members 56 and 57, a vertical member 58 extending between the rear ends thereof, and a cage 59 projecting from the vertical member 58.

A horizontal transverse worm 60 is journaled in and extends between forward portions of the upper side a sure (not shown).

members 56,1517, and hasa. crank. handle, 6101i one.

end thereof for manual operation.

The worm 60 is in mesh with a worm wheel 62 which is :keyedi on :a; tubularrbearingz63 which is non 'rotatabl'y but slidably circumposed on a rearisectioniz64of a cam i operating; shaft: 65': The shaftsection: 64 has i a longitudinal key 66 which splines thev'tubul'ar ibearing 63 to the% shaft section 64i and -providesfthat the shaft section 64 can be rotated in either direction by rotatingitlie worrn" handle: 61:in correspondingidirections;"while leaving; the

Rea'rward and forward hydraulic. fluid transfer pip'es 77 and 78, respectively, extend-"between and arecon nected at'their upper and lower ends to rearward and forward ends of the-upper andlower hydrauliccylinders 67 and-68;respectively. A-two-Way-hand valve 79 has a hy'draulic fluid pressure supply pipe 80 connected theretoand leading from a suitable source of hydraulic pres- The valve 79 has one side thereof conneetedto the transferpipe 7,7 and-its otherside' connected to the transfer pipe 78. By turning the valve handler 81 to one -side,' the shaft section 64,-and hencethe entire camoperatingshaft- 65, is-moved rearwardiy by hydraulic pressure and by turning the valve handle" 81 a in the 1 other direction the shaft section-64 is moved forwardly by hydraulic pressure.

Reniovablys'e'cured for rotation with Y the forward auger sh-a-ftsection'53', as particular-ly Well shown-in-Figure 3, is -atubular cutter head' shaft 82, having on-' its rear end a'- socket 83which is-secur edto the forwardend 83 of the'forward shaft auger-section 53, bypin'rneans- 845 It istore noted that theconnection between the socket 83 and the forward end 83' of-the auger" section- 53 is ofthe type to'perrm'tlateral play." The cutter had-shaft'SZ-has a reduced portion SSat'its forwardend term'i-natingin-a larger diameter, conical spiral cutter point -86i havingrows of' cutting teeth 87 along two opposite sides thereof;

round's'a'nd' is fixed-to theouter ends of the spokes-88 I 7 As herein shown, three spokes 88= and threerseats 89 are providedas equally spaced-intervals around the rim For each-seat 89=there is--a rectangularshoe 91';-of the same curvature as the 90, which in its inwardor unprojected position seats -within its seat 89, substan-' tially flush with the exterior of the rim 90 On each shoe 91 is fixeda-stem- 92which extends inwardly-in th'e'related' spoke 88 and hasonits inner end a carnblock 93 having a beveled cam face 94 on its -i'nward end,= as--particularly well shown in Figures 3 and 5'.

Thehereinabove mentioned section 64 0f the-cam operating shaft is' oneof a number of such sections which-are separ'ably-connected together attheir adjacent ends by sockets 95'and pins 96, theforwardinost ofsuch sections being designated 97 in Figure-'3 The-sec tior'r97 terminates at its forward end ina socket9S'of a camshaft 99' which extends forwardly through the" In line with the cam blocks 93, thercamshaft 99 is provided with a semi-circular cross section cam lobe 101 which flares forwardly from a point 102 flush with the side of the camshaft 99 to a point 103.

The forward end 104 of: the cutter head rim is provided at equally spaced intervals with cutter teeth 105 which are'directed forwardlyandradially outwardly with respect to.- the rim 90, so as to cut in the earth an auger hole106 which is larger in diameter than the rim 90; so :asto enablethe-cutt'erhead 107I'to operate without binding and to provide for steering projection of the shoes 91. V

Whenever the operator of the device notices evidences of clay bottom in the coal or other mineral being mined which is conveyed rearwardly out of the auger hole 106 by' the auger,,he isthereby: informed that the cutter head 107 is cutting downwardly out of" the original' line of'the auger hole 106..

To correctthis situation, the operator then: provides" for downwardprojection 'ofshoes" 91 into; engagement with the bottom of the auger hole'106, so as to tiltthe;

to the necessary position. the cam operating shaft 65' is moved'rearwardly from" the dotted line position shown in Figure 3; to -move the cam lobe 101' into position to be engaged by. the'camshaft 65- is moved rearwardly and substantially; moved forwardlyto itsstarting position by turnin'glhehydraulic valve handle 81 in the proper; direction; The cutter head 107, accompanied, bythe auger 54! is moved" forwardly,

to extend the auger hole; 106 by movingthe carriage 29 The cutter,

forwardly, by; suitable means (not shown). head 107 hasinternal pitched conveyor vanes-167"for; moving-material rearwardly to the-gauger: 50.,

For returning the. shoes-91 to their seats.89; the stems 92vhave circumposed thereon the, helical expanding springs: 108,- which; are compressed'between the cam blocks 93 and annular abutments 169-fiX6d within the spokes 88.

As shown in detailinrFiguresfi and 8, the:pin-9r6- which removably traverses the socket 95- and1the'rear end ofthe camshaft 99 extendszacross the forward end of a a horizontal b'ore'110 provided in the rear end of thecamshaft99 and has-an annular groove ll-l at'its middle. A ball detent 112 engages 'the'groove 11:1 to hold the pin 96 in place and itself -is--heldin positionin the groove 11 by a spring 113 compressed by a screw plug 114'. threaded into the open end of theborel 7 Referring now to Figures 11 togl-7 of the drawings, showing another cutter head-shoe projecting mechanism" and modified shoes and cutter-headstructure, the numeral inward sides 117 and curvedouter sides 1-1-8zare engaged in. the slideways-89a for endwise movementsfromretracted positions, shown irrth'e, upper part ofi Figure 13 totangential projected positions shown 'in the lowerpart of Figure 13, the feet-9 1a-being confined in thevslide? ways 8921' by" projections 119." on their sides-engaging" the grooves 116. The curved outer-side's118'of the feet" 912:- areconcen-tric withthe'ext'er'ioror the cutter headi rim 90 in their retracted positions.

Instead of-seats$9 at the outer ends The inner sides 117 of the feet 91a have slots 120 into which project eccentric pintles 121 on arms 122 fixed on the radially outward ends of rotary shafts or stems 92a which are journaled in reduced diameter portions 123 at the inward ends of the spokes 88a, and fixed on the radially inward ends of the shafts 92a are arms 93a, positioned at right angles to the arms 122 and having radially inwardly directed eccentric pinties 94a. Helical return springs 103a are circumposed on the shafts 92a and are secured at their outer and inner ends to the arms 122 and the spokes 880, respectively, for returning the shoes 91a to retracted positions from projected positions.

A camshaft 990, similar to the camshaft 99 but having thereon a modified cam 1:9112, operates the shoes 91a.

The cam 101a, as shown in Figures 12 to 17, is of less than semi-circular cross section, projects from and extends along one side of the camshaft 99a and has a rounded forward end or nose 103a and parallel sides 126, 126. The starting position of the cam 1934: is rearward of the pintles 124, in contrast to the arrangement in Figures 1 to 10, as shown in dotted lines in Figure 12, and operation of the shoes 91a to projected positions is produced by forward movement of the camshaft 99a from the starting position, by means already described in connection with Figures 1 to 10.

As shown in Figures 14 to 17, when the cam 101:: is pushed forward and held, its rounded cam nose 10311 is positioned to be engaged as the mining head rotates, so that the related arm 93a is pushed in a clockwise direction, against the resistance of the spring 108a until the arm 93a reaches a position along one side 126 of the cam 191a. Further rotation of the mining head causes the inner pintle to slide past the nose of the cam 101a so that the shoe 91a is released to be retracted by the spring 168a.

Referring now to Figures 18 and 19 of the drawings, there is therein shown a spoked form of cutter head 107b, with which either of the above described forms of earn mechanism can be used. The cutter head 107b is devoid of a rim 6% or 60a, and on the forward sides of its spokes are lcngitudinaliy spaced cutter teeth 139 which are angled in the direction of rotation of the cutter head 187.5. Radially projectible shoes 91b engage in rectangular seats 8% on the outer ends of the spokes 88b, and cutter teeth 131 are fixed on the leading sides of the seats 89b and are forwardly angled in the direction of rotation of the cutter head 10717.

What is claimed is:

1. in a mining auger, a tubular auger shaft having a rearward and a forward end, driving means connected to the rearward end of the auger shaft for rotating the auger shaft, a cutter head connected to the forward end of the auger shaft, each of the aforesaid connections being of the type to permit lateral play, said cutter head comprising a tubular cutter head shaft having a rear end I fixed to the forward end of the auger shaft, radial spokes having inner ends fixed to said cutter head shaft and having outer ends, seats fixed on the outer ends of the spokes, shoes seated on said seats having stems projecting toward the cutter head shaft, said stems having inner ends positioned within said cutter head shaft, a cam operating shaft extending through said tubular auger shaft, said cam operating shaft having a rear end and a forward end, a cam shaft within said cutter head shaft, said cam shaft having a rear end connected with the forward end of the cam operating shaft, a cam on one side of said cam shaft in the region of the inner ends of said stems, said cam operating shaft and said cam shaft being supported on the auger shaft and in the cutter head shaft for both rotary and endwise movements relative thereto and to the said inner ends of the shoe stems, first means connected to the rear end of the cam operating shaft for rotating the cam operating shaft to selectively position said cam for operative engagement with said inner ends of the shoe stems, and second means connected to the rear end of said cam operating shaft for moving said cam operating shaft from a starting position to an operative position in which rotation of the cutting head relative to the cam shaft produces successive operative engagements of the inner ends of the shoe stems with said cam serving to project the shoes outwardly to engage the side of an auger hole so as to deflect the cutter head toward the opposite side of the auger hole.

2. In a mining auger, a tubular auger shaft having a rearward and a forward end, driving means connected to the rearward end of the auger shaft for rotating the auger shaft, a cutter head connected to the forward end of the auger shaft, each of the aforesaid connections being of the type to permit lateral play, said cutter head comprising a tubular cutter head shaft having a rear end fixed to the forward end of the auger shaft, radial spokes having inner ends fixed to said cutter head shaft and having outer ends, seats fixed on the outer ends of the spokes, shoes seated on said seats having stems projecting toward the cutter head shaft, said stems having inner ends positioned within said cutter head shaft, a cam operating shaft extending through said tubular auger shaft, said cam operating shaft having a rear end and a forward end, a cam shaft within said cutter head shaft, said cam shaft having a rear end connected with the forward end of the cam operating shaft, a cam on one side of said cam shaft, in the region of the inner ends of said stems, said cam operating shaft and said cam shaft being supported on the auger shaft and in the cutter head shaft for both rotary and endwise movements relative thereto and to the said inner ends of the shoe stems, first means connected to the rear end of the cam operating shaft for rotating the cam operating shaft to selectively position said cam for operative engagement with said inner ends of the shoe stems, and second means connected to the rear end of said cam operating shaft for moving said cam operating shaft from a starting position to an operative position in which rotation of the cutting head relative to the cam shaft produces successive operative engagements of the inner ends of the shoe stems with said cam serving to project the shoes outwardly to engage the side of an anger hole so as to deflect the cutter head toward the opposite side of the auger hole, said cutter head further comprising a cylindrical rim on which the shoe seats exist as depressions in the rim.

3. In a mining auger, a tubular auger shaft having a rearward and a forward end, driving means connected to the rearward end of the auger shaft for rotating the auger shaft, a cutter head connected to the forward end of the auger shaft, each of the aforesaid connections being of the type to permit lateral play, said cutter head comprising a tubular cutter head shaft having a rear end fixed to the forward end of the auger shaft, radial spokes having inner ends fixed to said cutter head shaft and having outer ends, seats fixed on the outer ends of the spokes, shoes seated on said seats having stems projecting toward the cutter head shaft, said stems having inner ends positioned within said cutter head shaft, a cam operating shaft extending through said tubular auger shaft, said cam operating shaft having a rear end and a forward end, a cam shaft within said cutter head shaft, said cam shaft having a rear end connected with the forward end of the cam operating shaft, a cam on one side of said cam shaft, in the region of the inner ends of said stems, said cam operating shaft and said cam shaft being supported on the auger shaft and in the cutter head shaft for both rotary and endwise movements relative thereto and to the said inner ends of the shoe stems, first means connected to the rear end of the cam operating shaft for rotating the cam operating shaft to selectively position said cam for operative engagement with said inner ends of the shoe stems, and second means connected to the rear end of said cam operating shaft for moving said cam operating shaft from a starting positiontofan operative position in whichrotation of the cuttinghead relative .to the cam shaft produces successive operative engagements of the inner ends of the shoe stems with said cam serving to project the shoes outwardlyto engage the side of an anger hole so as to deflect the cutter head toward the opposite side of the augerhole, said cutter head further comprising a cylindrical rim on which the shoe seats exist asdepressions in the rim, and said stems are mounted on the spokes for endwise movements. in one direction producing radially 'outward'projection ,of the shoes from the seats and seatingof the shoes inthe seats in the opposite direction.

,4. In amining anger, a tubular auger shaft having a rearward :and a forward end, driving means connected to the rearward end of the auger shaft for rotating the auger shaft, acutter head connected to the forward end of the auger shaft, each of the aforesaid connections being of the type to permitlateral play, said cutter head comprising ,a tubular cutter head shaft having a rear end fixed to the forward end of therauger shaft,

radial spokes having inner ends hired to said cutter.

head shaft aand having outer ends, seats fixed on the outer ends .of the spokes, shoes seated ,on v,seid seats having stems projecting toward the cutter head shaft, said stems, having inner ends positioned within said cutter head shaft, a cam operating shaft extending through said tubular auger shaft, saidv cam op rating shaft having a rearend and a forward end, a cam shaft .rotating the cam. operating shaft to selectively position said cam for operative engagement with saidfinner ends of'the shoe stems, and second means connected to'the rear end of said cam operating sha'ftjfor moving said ,cam operating. shaft from a starting position. to an operative positioniin which rotation of the cutti head relative to the cam .shaft produces successive operative engagements of the inner. ends of the shoe stems withfsaid cam serving ,to project .the shoes outwardly to engage the side ,of an auger; hole so as to deflect-the cutter head toward the opposite side of the auger hole, said cutter head, further comprising a cylindrical on which the shoe seats exist as depressions in'the'rirn,

said cutter head further. comprising a cylindrical rim on which said shoe seats exist as chordal slideways and the seats are confined in theslideways for movements from seated positionin the slideways to tangential ,pr o-. jected positions relative to the rim, the seat stems be ing axially rotatably mounted on the spokes, saidstems having outer ends provided with eccentric pintles engaged in slots in the;shoes and eccentric pintles ,on their inwardends with which said cam is operatively engageable.

5. In a mining auger, a tubular auger shaft-having-a rearward and a forward end, driving means connected to the rearward end of the auger shaft for, rotating the augershaft, a cutter head connected to the forward end of, the auger shaft, each of the aforesaid connections being of the type .to permit lateral pla'y, saidflcutterheadrcomprisinga tubular cutter. head shaft having a rear end fixed to the forward endof the auger shaft, radial spokes having inner ends'fixedl'to saidcutter head shaft and having outerends, seats "fixed on the outerendslofm he spokes, shoes seated. onsaid, seatshaving stems projecting toward the ',cutter head, shaft, said stems having inner ends positioned withinrs'aidcutter'headshaft, acam'operating shaft extending through said tubular auger shaft, said cam 58 I operating shaft'having a rear, end and a forward end,v a cam shaft within said cutter head shaft, said camshaft having a rear end connected with the forward end of the cam operating shaft, a cam on'one side of said cam shaft,

in the region of the inner endsof said stems, said cam operating shaft and said cam shaft being supported on the auger shaft and in the cutter head shaft for both rotary and'endwise movements relative thereto and to the said inner ends of the, shoe stems, first means connected to the rear end'of'the cam operating shaft for rotating the cam' operating shaft ,to selectively position said cam for operative engagement with said inner ends of the shoe stems, and second means connected to'the rearend of said cam operating shaft for moving said cam operating shaft from a starting position to an operative position in which I rotation of thecutting head relative to the camshaft producessuccessive operative engagements of the inner ends of the shoe stems with'said cam serving to project the shoes outwardly to engage the side of an auger'hole so as to deflect-the cutter head toward the opposite side of theauger hole, said cutter head further comprising a cylindrical'rim on'which the shoe seats exist as depressions in the rim, and said stems are mounted on the spokes forendwlse movements in one direction producing radially outward projections of the shoes from the seats and seating of the shoes in the seats in the opposite direction, said spokes being hollow and the seat stems being confined withinithe'interior of the spokes.

-'6. In a mining-auger, a tubular auger shaft having 'a rearward and a forward end, driving means connected to the rearward end of the auger shaft for rotating the auger shaft, a cutter-head connected to the forward end of the auger shaft, each of-the aforesaid connections Being of the type to permit lateral play, said cutter head comprising a tubular cutter head shaft having a rear end fixed tow the forward end of the auger shaft, radial spokes having inner ends-fixed to said cutter head shaft and having outer ends, seats fixed on the outer ends of the spokes,

shoes seated on said seats'having stems projecting toward the cutter head shaft, said stems, having inner ends positioned within said-cutter'head shaft, a cam operating shaft extending through said tubular auger shaft, said cam operating shaft'having a rear end and a forward end, a cam shaft within said cutter head shaft, said cam shaft having a rear endconnected with the forward end of the' V cam operating shaft, a cam on one side of said cam shaft,

in the region of'the-inner ends of said stems, said cam operating shaft and said cam shaft being supported on the auger shaft and in the cutter head shaft for'both rotary andendwise movements relative thereto and to the said inner ends of=the-shoe stems, first means connected to auger-hole so as to deflect the cutterhead toward the opposite side of the auger hole,said cutter head further comprising a cylindrical rim on which the shoe seats exist :as depressions 'in the rim said cutter head further comprising a-cylindrical n'm on which said shoe seats exist as chordal slideways and the seats are confined-in the slidewayslfor movements from seated position in the slideways :to tangential projected positions relative to the rim, the seat stems being ,axially-rotatably mounted on the spoken-said stems having outer ends provided with eccentric pintles engaged in slots in the shoes and eccentric pintles on their inward ends with which said cam is operatively engageable, said spokes being hollow and said seat stems being confined within the P9kes and journaled therein.

7. In a mining auger, a tubular auger shaft having a rearward and a forward end, driving means connected to the rearward end of the auger shaft for rotating the auger shaft, a cutter head connected to the forward end of the auger shaft, each of the aforesaid connections being of the type to permit lateral play, said cutter head com-' prising a tubular cutter head shaft having a rear end fixed to the forward end of the auger shaft, radial spokes having inner ends fixed to said cutter head shaft, and having outer ends, seats fixed on the outer ends of the spokes, shoes seated on said seats having stems projecting toward the cutter head shaft, said stems having inner ends positioned within said cutter head shaft, a cam operating shaft extending through said tubular auger shaft, said cam operating shaft having a rear end and a forward end, a cam shaft within said cutter head shaft, said cam shaft having a rear end connected with the forward end of the cam operating shaft, a cam on one side of said cam shaft in the region of the inner ends of said stems, said cam operating shaft and said cam shaft being supported on the auger shaft and in the cutter head shaft for both rotary and endwise movements relative thereto and to the said inner ends of the shoe stems, first means connected to the rear end of the cam operating shaft for rotating the cam operating shaft to selectively position said cam for operative engagement with said inner ends of the shoe stems, and second means connected to the rear end of said cam operating shaft for moving said cam operating shaft from a starting position to an operative position in which rotation of the cutting head relative to the cam shaft produces successive operative engagements of the inner ends of the shoe stems with said cam serving to project the shoes outwardly to engage the side of an anger hole so as to deflect the cutter head toward the opposite side of the auger hole, a support on which said first and second means are mounted, said first means comprising manual gear means on said support, and said second means comprising hydraulically operated means on said support.

8. In a mining auger, a tubular auger shaft having a rearward and a forward end, driving means connected to the rearward end of the auger shaft for rotating the auger shaft, a cutter head connected to the forward end of the auger shaft, each of the aforesaid connections being of the type to permit lateral play, said cutter head comprising a tubular cutter head shaft having a rear end fixed to the forward end of the auger shaft, radial spokes having inner ends fixed to said cutter head shaft, and having outer ends, seats fixed on the outer ends of the spokes, shoes seated on said seats having stems projecting toward the cutter head shaft, said stems having inner ends positioned within said cutter head shaft, a cam operating shaft extending through said tubular auger shaft, said cam operating shaft having a rear end and a forward end, a cam shaft within said cutter head shaft, said cam shaft having a rear end connected with the forward end of the cam operating shaft, a cam on one side of said cam, shaft in the region of the inner ends of said stems, said cam operating shaft and said cam shaft being supported on the auger shaft and in the cutter head shaft for both rotary and endwise movements relative thereto and to the said inner ends of the shoe stems, first means connected to the rear end of the cam operating shaft for rotating the cam operating shaft to selectively position said cam for operative engagement with said inner ends of the shoe stems, and second means connected to the rear end of said cam operating shaft for moving said cam operating shaft from a starting position to an operative position in which rotation of the cutting head relative to the cam shaft produces successive operative engagements of the inner ends of the shoe stems with said cam serving to project the shoes outwardly to engage the side of an anger hole so as to deflect the cutter head toward the opposite side of the auger hole, said first means comprising a support, a worm wheel fixed on the cam operating shaft and 1G a worm rotatably mounted on said support and meshed with said worm wheel and serving to hold the cam operating shaft against rotation with the auger shaft during rotation of the auger shaft.

9. In a mining auger, a tubular auger shaft having a rearward and a forward end, driving means connected to the rearward end of the auger shaft for rotating the auger shaft, a cutter head connected to the forward end of the auger shaft, each of the aforesaid connections being of the type to permit lateral play, said cutter head comprising a tubular cutter head shaft having a rear end fixed to the forward end of the auger shaft, radial spokes having inner ends fixed to said cutter head shaft, and having outer ends, seats fixed on the outer ends of the spokes, shoes seated on said seats having stems projecting toward the cutter head shaft, said stems having inner ends positioned within said cutter head shaft, a cam operating shaft extending through said tubular auger shaft, said cam operating shaft having a rear end and a forward end, a cam shaft within said cutter head shaft, said cam shaft having a rear end connected with the forward end of the caml operating shaft, a cam on one side of said cam shaft in the region of the inner ends of said stems, said cam operating shaft and said cam shaft being supported on the auger shaft and in the cutter head shaft for both rotary and endwise movements relative thereto and to the said inner ends of the shoe stems, first means connected to the rear end of the cam operating shaft for rotating the cam operating shaft to selectively position said cam for operative engagement with said inner ends of the shoe stems, and second means connected to the rear end of said cam operating shaft for moving said cam operating shaft from a starting position to an operative position in which rotation of the cutting head relative to the cam shaft produces successive operative engagements of the inner ends of the shoe stems with said cam serving to project the shoes outwardly to engage the side of an auger hole so as to deflect the cutter head toward the opposite side of the auger hole, and cutter teeth on said spokes.

10. In a mining auger, a tubular auger shaft having a rearward and a forward end, driving means connected to the rearward end of the auger shaft for rotating the auger shaft, a cutter head connected to the forward end of the auger shaft, each of the aforesaid connections being of the type to permit lateral play, said cutter head comprising a tubular cutter head shaft having a rear end fixed to the forward end of the auger shaft, radial spokes having inner ends fixed to said cutter head shaft, and having outer ends, seats fixed on the outer ends of the spokes, shoes seated on said seats having stems projecting toward the cutter head shaft, said stems having inner ends positioned within said cutter head shaft, a cam operating shaft extending through said tubular auger shaft, said cam operating shaft having a rear end and a forward end, a cam shaft within said cutter head shaft, said cam shaft having a rear end connected with the forward end of the cam operating shaft, a cam on one side of said cam shaft in the region of the inner ends of said stems, said cam operating shaft and said cam shaft being supported on the auger shaft and in the cutter head shaft for both rotary and endwise movements relative thereto and to the said inner ends of the shoe stems, first means connected to the rear end of the cam operating shaft for rotating the cam operating shaft to selectively position said cam for operative engagement with said inner ends of the shoe stems, and second means connected to the rear end of said cam, operating shaft for moving said cam operating shaft from a starting position to an operative position in which rotation of the cutting head relative to the cam shaft produces successive operative engagements of the inner ends of the shoe stems with said cam serving to project the shoes outwardly to engage the side of an auger hole so as to deflect the cutter head toward the opposite side of the auger hole, and cam blocks on said inner ends of the shoe stems having angulated cam faces, said cam extending 'auger shaft, each.o f,- the aforesaid connections being of the type .to permit. lateral play, said cutter head comprisinga tubular cutter head shaft having a rearend fixed to the..;fo rward.end of-thezaugen shaft, radial spokes having,

inner. ends fixedrto' saidscutter head shaft, and-having outer ends,,seats.-fixed onvthe outer; ends ;of the. spokes, shoes seated on said seatshaving stems. projecting toward the; cutter head shaft, ,said .zsterns having inner; ends t positioned withinsaid cuttertheadshaft, a cam operating shaft extending;throughsaid-tuhular auger shaft, said camj operating shaft having a rear endand a forward. end, a, camshaft withirnsaidwntter head shaft, said cam shaft having a. rear end connectediwith,the-forward end of the cam .Operating hafL, a, cam on one; side of, said cam shaft in the regionofthe-inner ends of said stems, said cam; op eratingsshaft and said. camshaft being supported on-zthe auger shaftand in the cutterheadshaft for both rotary and. endwiseymovements relative thereto and to V thesaid inner ends of:the-.shoe.stems,.first meansconnected to the;;rear-end v of the camoperating shaft for rotating thecarn-cperatingshaft to selectively position said canrfor operative;engagementwitbsaid. inner ends of the .shoe. stems, and asecond means connected totne reariend ofsaidcam operating shaft for moving said cam operating; shaft froma, startingeposition to anoperative position. in. which rotation ofthe cutting, head. relativev to. the cam shaft: produces. successivev operative. engagementsof the inner ends. of .theshoe stems. withsaidcam serving'to. project the shoesoutwardly to. engage the side.

of an auger; hole, so 'as ,toideflect the. cutter.- head toward.

the opposite side;of.the,auger hole, and-retracting spring. means actingbetween. the. shoegstems and; the. spokes ,for returning-.the. shoes to seated positionsfrom projected positionsr. v V

, 12. .In;a.miningrauger, .a tubular; auger. shaft having a rearwardand: aforward...end,: driving means. connected .to. therearward .endof theauger shaft-for rotating the auger shaft, a- .cutter'headt-connectedtdthe forward endof thev auger shaft, each of ,the. :aforesaidconnections being of. the

type. to permit iateral play, said cutter head comprising a tubular cutter: head shaft;having;a.rear end. fixed to'the forward. end of the. augerashaft, radial spokes; havinginner ends. fixed'rtot said: cutter head shaft. and havingouter ends, seats fixed onxtherouter ends .of.the..spokes, shoes.

seated on saidsseatshaving: stems projectingr toward the cuttenheadshaft, said stems having innerendspositioned within said cutterr head shaft, .a. camoperating shaft. ex: tending: through said tnhular auger shaft, said cam operate ingshafthavinga rear endanda forward. end, a cam' shaft'withinsaid cutter head shaft, said zcamshafthaving. a rear end connected with .theaforwardend-of the. camoperating'shaft, a cam onwone side of saidcam shaft, in.

the regionof the. inner ends of said. stems, said; cam operating shaft and said camshaft being supported'on theauger-shajft and in-th'e cutter-hcad shaft tforzboth-rotary.

and endwise movements reiative thereto and 4 to: the .said i inner:ends-of:theshoe stems, first means connected to the rear= end- 0f the cam operating-shaft-for: rotating: the. cam operating shaft to selectively position said cam for. operative engagementwith said; inner ends-ofxthe shoe stems, and second means connected to the rearend of said-I camoperating- Sh'EiftzfOii moving saidcam: operating-shaft from astartingpositiorntosan opera ive position iin which' rotation: of the-cutting head-reiative'to; the cam; shaft-1 produces successive operative engagements of; the inner endszof. the. shoe. stems with :said: can) serving; toeproject the..shpes...outward1y to engage the side of an auger hole so'as to deflect the cutter head toward the opposite side 7 ofthe. auger hole, said cutter head further comprising. a V

cylindricairimfon whichv the shoe seats exist as depres sions in the .rim, and said stems are mounted on the, spokes forendwise movements in one direction producing radiallyoutward projection of the shoes frort the seats and seating ,of the shoes in the seats in the opposite direction,

and.- spring. means acting between said, stems and thespokes for returning v the shoes .to seated positions from projected positions. V i

13. In a miningauger, atubular auger, shaft having a rearward, and a forward end, driving means connected to the rearward end of theauger shaft for rotatingv the auger shaft, acuttenhead connected to the forward. end of the auger, shaft, eachofthe. aforesaid connections being'of the-,type-to, permit laterahplay, said cutter-headcomprising a tubular cutter, headshafthaving arearendfixedto the.

forward. end Ofith$ augershaft, .radial spokeshaving inner.

ends fixed to saidcutter. head It shaft and having... outer. ends, ,seatsvfixedi on..the OUiCLgCHdS; of the; spokes,..shoes. seated onsaidssemsshaving stems. projecting toward. the. cuttenheadsshaft, saidistems,.hayingginner.endspositioned:

withinsaidtcutter;headsshaft a .cam operating shaft ex: tending throughlsaidiubular; auger shaft, saidicam .operatingshaftthaving asreartendandiatforwardhenda cam shaftiwithin said:cuttersheadlshaft, said cam shaft having a reanendiconnected withnthenforwardzendof-the cam.

operating. shaft, a cam::on.-oneside of said cam shaft, in the region'of the'inner .endsof said stems, said cam operatingshaft*and;said cam.shaft beingsupported on the augershaft andlin-the-cutter=head-shaft for both rotary' and endwise movements relative-thereto and to the said inner endsof the shoe stems, first means connected to the rear-end of the cam 'operating' shaft for rotating the cam operating shaft-to selectively position said cam-for operativeengagement-withsaid inner-ends of the shoe stems, and'second means-connected to the rear end of said cam operating-shaft formovin-g' said camoperating shaft from a starting position to an operative position in which'rota tion of the cutting head relative to the: cam: shaft'-produces successiveoperative engagements of the inner ends: of the-- shoestems with said cam 'servi-ng-to project" the shoes outwardly to-"engage the side of an--auger:h'o1e"so'asto deflectthe cutter head towardthe-opposite-side of theauger: hole, said cutter head further' comprising a cylindrical rim -on-which the shoe seats exist as depressions in the'rim; saidcntter head furthin-comprising acylindrical rim on which said shoe" seats exist as chordai slideways and =the-seatsare "confinedin the *slideways for movements. from seated positionin-the'siideways to tangentiai projected positions relative to the rim; theseatstems being-- axially 'rotatahly mountedonthespokes, said stems havingouter ends provided-with eccentric pintles engaged in slots inthe shoes "and eccentric pintles -0n their 'inward ends with" Which' said camis operativelyengageabie; and

spring means'acting betweemthespokes and the shoe stems for returning"- the shoes to seated positions 'fro'nr projected positions:

14; In a miningfauger; a tubularauger shafthavinga rearward andaforwardend; driving meanscon-nected to the rearward end of the augershaftfor-rotating 1 the auger shaft, 21' cutter head connected to the forward end" of the augersh'aft; each' -ofthe' aforesaid connec tions being of the type to'permit'lateml play, saidcutter' head comprising" a tubular cutter"headshaft having a rear end fixed-to thefdrward-endof theauger shaft;

radialspokes having-:inner ends fixed to said cutter head shaftand'h aving' outer" ends; seats fixedcn the outerends of the spokes, shoes seatedon saidl seatshavingstems projecting vtowardthe: cuttershead shaft,

said stem-shaving ,innergendspositioned within said cutter head :shaft, a; cam; operating;shaft extending-through sad ztubular. auger? shaft,..said, eam operating; shaft having; a rear end;and-a-forward end,;a,can1-shaft within-said:

cutter head shaft, saidcam. shaft havingamearend .con-.

nected with the forward end 'of the cam operating shaft,

a cam on one side of said cam shaft, in the region of the inner ends of said stems, said cam operating shaft and said cam shaft being supported on the auger shaft and in the cutter head shaft for both rotary and endwise movements relative thereto and to the said inner ends of the shoe stems, first means connected to the rear end of the cam operating shaft for rotating the cam operating shaft to selectively position said cam for operative engagement With said inner ends of the shoe stems, and second means connected to the rear end of said cam operating shaft for moving said cam operating shaft from a starting position to an operative position in which rotation of the cutting head relative to the cam shaft produces successive operative engagements of the inner ends of the shoe stems with said cam serving to project the shoes outwardly to engage the side of an anger hole so as to deflect the cutter head toward the opposite side of the auger hole, said cutter head further comprising a cylindrical rim on which the shoe seats exist as depressions in the rim, said cutter head shaft having a forward end provided with a central cutting point and said rim having a forward edge provided with forwardly and outwardly angulated teeth arranged to cut an auger hole larger in diameter than said cutter head References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,645,007 Johansen Oct. 11, 1927 2,384,397 Ramsay Sept. 4, 1945 FOREIGN PATENTS 672,403 Great Britain May 21, 1952 

